Brian May Joins Campaign Against Beagle Breeding Farm

By Jennifer Mishler | January 25, 2012

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Queen guitarist Brian May has been a longtime advocate for animals. He launched the SAVE-ME campaign to oppose the use of dogs in hunting and protect wild animals, and has been honored by the House of Lords for his animal advocacy.

His latest efforts include joining the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection’s (BUAV) campaign against a proposed farm that would breed beagles for lab testing. According to Look to the Stars, the farm in Grimston would breed thousands of beagles who could be tested on, both in the UK and overseas.

May said, “Beagles, indisputably, are highly intelligent sentient creatures, friends of Man for centuries. It is completely morally unjustifiable for these animals to be made to suffer in the name of science, and I am shocked to learn of plans to set up a facility in Yorkshire to breed and supply beagles to the research industry. We at SAVE-ME support the BUAV campaign, and I urge The Right Hon, Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to listen to the concerns of the British public, and to reject this appeal – thereby preventing this facility from being built.”

The building plans were initially rejected after BUAV’s campaign. Bantin & Kingman Ltd., among the largest suppliers of laboratory animals in the UK, appealed and a new decision is expected within weeks. BUAV says beagles are often used in toxicity tests and force-fed chemicals through capsules, drugs or feeding tubes. Many become severely ill and die or are euthanized.

“We are delighted that Brian May and SAVE ME are supporting our campaign. The use of dogs in research is highly controversial and a subject that raises strong public concern. There is a range of non-animal research techniques that provide a humane approach to science which should be used instead of breeding dogs to suffer and die in experiments,” said BUAV Chief Executive Michelle Thew.

When we reject human injustice, nobody needs to go on a “journey” to get to that point. Where animals are concerned, we’re all too eager to pack the car, don the sunglasses and go for ride before we see the truth of what has been in front of us the entire time.